Tuesday, 12 December 2017

East End Angels Book Tour

Strong-willed Winnie loves being part of the crew at Station Seventy-Five but her parents are less than happy. She has managed to avoid their pleas to join the WRENS so far but when a tragedy hits too close to home she finds herself wondering if she’s cut out for this life after all.

Former housemaid Bella was forced to leave the place she loved when she lost it all and it’s taken her a while to find somewhere else to call home. She’s finally starting to build a new life but when the air raids begin, it seems she may have to start over once again.

East-Ender Frankie’s sense of loyalty keeps her tied to home so it’s not easy for her to stay focused at work. With her head and heart pulling in different directions, will she find the strength to come through for her friends when they need her the most?

Brought together at LAAS Station Seventy-Five in London’s East End during 1940, these three very different women soon realise that they’ll need each other if they’re to get through the days ahead. But can the ties of friendship, love and family all remain unbroken?

Review

During war time Britain, a group of three women come together as ambulance crew and soon form a strong bond. In times of such uncertainty everyone 'did their bit' but some family members still thought that just by wanting to drive women were getting airs and graces. Not something too unfamiliar from the first world war. After reading Christmas At Woolworths I couldn't wait to get stuck into East End Angels, and I wasn't disappointed.East End Angels follows Winnie, Bella and Frankie ( not actually their proper names, but names given at the ambulance depot ), as they whisk around town saving the injured and removing the deceased from not so nice predicaments. The first of which is within the first few pages. Being quite squeamish I had to take a pause and come back.The role of women is often overlooked when speaking of the war so reading more into the heroic nature of those fighting the war at home is comforting and inspiring. With little food to go round and not knowing whether your friends will still be around tomorrow the ties of friendship are tested beyond their limits in this heart warming, and breaking, story. Not wanting to reveal any of the plot ... East End Angels has opened my eyes to many of the small victories that those left behind achieved. With some tragedy hitting very close to home and some air raids causing more than a little bit of trouble there are some real truths in Hendry's writing which may bring a tear. Although East End Angels is fictional there is still a very real story unfolding which is engaging, completely realistic and full of hope for the future. This book is the perfect read for anyone who loves learning about the world wars, reading wartime romances or just loves a good fictional boost.

About The Author

Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband and two children. East End Angels is the first book in her uplifting and heart-warming saga series that follows the lives and loves of Winnie, Frankie and Bella, who all work for the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) during the Blitz. Listening to her father’s tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie’s interest in this period and she loves researching further, searching out gems of real life events which inspire her writing. Keep up-to- date with Rosie by following her on Twitter (@hendry_rosie), becoming her friend on Facebook (rosie.hendry.94) or reading her blog (rosiehendry.blogspot.co.uk).